TAMWORTH Regional Council isn't planning for a "day zero".
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Director Bruce Logan said the council hasn't circled a day in the calendar where the city is predicted to run out of water because there was "no alternative".
"What we have is a plan which will see us tighten restrictions and tighten business use as, and if, the dam level continues to fall and that's what we're counting on," he said.
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"We simply can't afford to have a situation where Tamworth doesn't have water, because there is no alternative.
"We can't truck water in to Tamworth, the daily supply is too great for that to happen."
Other NSW councils have identified their "day zero" in recent days.
Armidale Regional Council chief Susan Law said Malpas Dam would run dry by October next year without significant rain and run-off.
While Bathurst's council revealed there would be no usable water left in its primary supply by July 17, 2020.
"Our plan needs to cover all eventualities and ensure we can continue to have water available, at the very least, for residential use," Mr Logan said about Tamworth.
"We will certainly get plenty of notice if we are heading towards a 'day zero' for argument's sake."
He said the current drought "had been in place since 2016" and people could make their own assessment on "whether it would continue to not rain for another two years".
"If that's the case, a vast majority of NSW will be in a significant problem," he said.
"I obviously hope it is not going to be the case."
Tamworth city, Moonbi and Kootingal are staring down the barrel of level five restrictions which will come into effect when Chaffey Dam hits 20 per cent.
The dam's depletion has been stifled in recent months and it currently sits at 22.6 per cent.
Without significant rainfall, Mr Logan said level five could be introduced by mid-September.